Calculator fob valve mechanisms



March 4, 1941. P.. D. EOBBITT CALCULATOR FOR VALVE MECHANISMS 4Sheets-Sheet 1 ..pwir M\\\ Filed Jan. 16, 1959 ZW/07a obbt,

March 4, 1941. R D, BOBBlTT 2,233,830

CALCULATOR Fon VALVE MECHANIsMs Filed Jan. 1e, 1959 4 sheets-sheet 2ATTORNEYS WITNESS March 4, 1941. R. D. BoBBxT-r CALCULATOR FOR VALVEMECHANISMS Filed Jan. 16, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 25 476L 54 I 45a.

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VALVE ROD OPENINGS f abbizz;

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS WITNESS March 4, 1941. R. D. BoBBlT-r CALCULATOR FORVALVE MECHANISMS Filed Jan. 16, 1939 ww DSN NAN l M A .y/ 7 uw is l* 2TMN Ml E f..

WITNESS Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

My invention relates to gauges and has as one of the principal objectsthereof the provision of a simple and eficient calculator capable ofbeing adjusted in a manner to denote accurately the adjustment of thevalve and eccentric rod of valve mechanisms, for instance, a Walscheartevalve motion mechanism employed on locomotives, whereby to equalize theport openings of said valve mechanisms.

Another object of my invention is to provide a calculator of thecharacter described which is simple in construction, durable in use,efficient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent vfrom the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters d-esignatelike parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figures 5 to 9 inclusive are diagrammatic top plan views illustratingthe various steps in adjusting my novel form of calculator for computingthe adjustments to be had in the valve and eccentric rods of a valvemotion mechanism.

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of my invention.

Figure 1l is a side elevation, partly in section, of a valve mechanismto which my invention is applicable.

Figures 12 and 13 are diagrammatic sections of said valve mechanismillustrating the forward and rearward motions respectively of the valvemember relative to the valve ports.

In practicing my invention, I provide a calculator 4 comprising anelongated plate 5 fashioned with a lengthwise extending channel 6 formedin the upper face thereof. The side walls of said channel are undercutand receive ribs I formed on the sides of a slide 8 slidably mounted insaid channel.

The plate 5 is provided on opposite sides of the slide with thecharacters F and R denoting the forward and rearward motions of a valvemechanism V, for instance a Walschearte valve motion diagrammaticallyillustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13. Said sides of said plate arehereinafter referred to as the forward and rearward motion sidesrespectively. The marginal edges of the plate are provided on the frontface thereof and on the forward and rearward motion sides with scales Iand II for indicating the diameters of the front and rear valve portsFVP and RVP respectively, of said valve mechanism in accordance withboth the forward and rearward motions of the valve VM of the valvemechanism, respectively. Said scales I0 and II are graduated infractions of inches by means of scale marks I2 and I3 respectively andwhich are indicative of fourths, eights, sixteenths, thirty-seconds andsixty-fourths of an inch for a purpose hereinafter made apparent.Adjacent the slide 8 and on the forward motion side of the plate,indicated by the character F, are spaced scales I4 and I5 denotinginfractions of an inch valve rod adjustments of said valve mechanism.

The scales I4 and l5 are each divided into a pair of sections havinggroups of scale readings or marks I6 and I1 indicativev of lengtheningand shortening adjustments respectively of the valve rod VR of saidvalve mechanism V. The groups are indicated thereon by the characters Land S respectively etched or otherwise formed on the plate. Intermediatemarks I8 divide the sections of said scales I4 and I5 into said groupsand are indicated by the characters O denoting a zero or non-adjustmentposition of the valve rod VR.

The ends of the slide are provided with the characters R and Lindicative of the right and left ends of said slide respectively. Theslide 8 is also provided with pointer marks I9 and 20 for registery withthe scales I4 and I 5 respectively. The slide 8, intermediate the endsthereof, has fixed thereto a threaded shaft 2l extending outwardly andupwardly therefrom and on which is rotatably mounted a dial 22. Theouter end of said shaft 2| is provided with an adjustable lock nut 23 topermit adjustment of the dial relative to the slide whereby to clampsaid dial in fixed position relative to the slide.

The dial is of a sufficient circumference Whereby the marginal edgethereof overlies adjacent portions of the plate as clearly illustratedin Figure 1 and for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The diall is provided with radially extending marks 24, 25, 26 and 21,the marks 24. and 25 being indicative of the rear and front ports onforward motion of the valve and the marks 2B and 2'I indicative of therear and front ports on rearward motion of said valve. Said marks 24 and25, of the forward motion, and 2S and 2I, of the rearward motion, aredisposed towards the scales I0 and II respectively for registery withthe marks or readings I2 and I3 thereon.

CTL

Also, on the dial 22 are marks 23 and 29 coacting with scale markers 3Qand respectively and hereinafter set forth.

Adjacent the dial 22, the slide is provided with transversely extendingscales and 33 for coaction with oppositely disposed marks 32a and 33aformed on the dial for indicating adjustments of the eccentric rod ER ofthe valve mechanism.

As in the instance of the scales I4 and l5, the scales 32 and 33 aredivided into sections having groups of marks 34 and 35 denotinglengthening and shortening adjustments of the eccentric rod of the valvemechanism and are indicated by the characters L and S respectively,etched or otherwise provided on said slide. The intermediate marks 36 ofsaid scales are indicated by the character O indicating zero ornonadjustment position of the eccentric rod.

Adjustably secured in the upper face of the plate 5, adjacent the slide8, is a set` screw 37 having a ange 38 overlying the upper face of theslide 8 whereby to clamp said slide relative to the plate for a purposehereinafter set forth.

The marginal edges, on both the forward and rearward motion sides of theplate, have slid* ably mounted thereon the scale markers 30 and 3|respectively. The markers 3|) and 3| are equipped with scale points 39and 40 respectively and said scale points 39 and 4Q coact with the marks28 and 29 on said dial respectively. The markers 30 and 3| are of aU-shaped construction, the lower arms of which underlie the bottom ofthe plate and are fashioned with ribs 4| having sliding engagementwithin slotsI 42 eX- tending longitudinally of the plate while the upperarms overlie said plate as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. Themarkers B and 3| are formed with pairs of depending ears 43 and 44respectively, and said pairs of ears 43 and 44 have extendingtherethrough shafts 45 and 4S respectively. Each of said shafts 45 and46 are formed with a substantially centrally disposed section having aplane peripheral surface disposed through the respective pair of earsand with right and left-hand threaded sections disposed one on each sideof said respective pair of ears for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Themarker 30 interposes a pair of auxiliary markers 41 and 43 provided withscale points for indicating the diameters of the rear and front portsrespectively on the forward motion of said valve mechanism. The marker3| likewise interpcses a pair of auxiliary markers 49 and 50 forindieating the diameters of the rear and front ports respectively on therearward motion of said mechanism. The markers lll, 48, 49 and 5i) areslidably mounted on the plate in the same man* ner as the markers 3D and3| and are fashioned with depending ears 5|, 5|a, Elo and Elorespectively. The ears '5| and 5|a are threadedly connected to thethreaded sections of the shaft 45 respectively, while the ears 5|`b and5|c are threaded connected to the threaded sections of the shaft 46respectively.

Interposed between the respective ears of the pairs of ears 43 and 44(of the markers 3U and 3| respectively) are finger wheels 52 and 53respectively. The finger wheels lill and 53 are fixed to the shafts 45and 4S respectively whereby to effect rotation of said shafts andadjustment of the auxiliary markers as hereinafter set forth. Themarkers 3U and 3| are provided with set screws 54 and 55 respectivelywhereby to clamp said markers to the plate.

accesso The auxiliary markers 4l, 43, 49 and 5B are provided with setscrews 47a, 4ta, 49a and 50a respectively for clamping the respectivemarkers to the plate E as hereinafter set forth.

The under face of the plate 5 is fashioned with o. lengthwise extendingslot El provided with dove-tail shaped side walls whereby to accommodateand maintain therein a card 59 or the like for noting thereon certainadjustment readings hereinafter described.

In useit being the desiratum to equalize the diameters of the portopenings of a valve mechanism on `both the forward and rearward motionof the valve, for instance. the type used on a locomotive and known asthe Walschearte valve motion mechanism and which is illustrated inFigures 1l., l2 and 13 of the drawings--the valve movement is checked,for instance from the right-hand side (Figure il) to ascertain thediameters of the port openings on both the forward L and rearward motionof the valve. Assuming, for example, that the diameters of the portopenings are as follows: on forward motion the front and rear ports open3/3" and 1/8 respectively as illustrated in Figure l2, and on rearwardmotion the front and rear ports open 13e and T56 respectively asillustrated in Figure 13. Having thus ascertained the dimensions of theport openxfs, my calculator is then adjusted in accordai' e therewithand operated in a manner to denote the adjustments of the valve andeccentric rods on the mechanism whereby to square or equalize the travelof the valve and which denotation is obtained in the following mannerand inasmuch as the dimensions of the ports on both the forward andrearward motions were computed from the right side (Figure l1) of thelocomotive, the rightehand scales only on the calculater are used.Obviously, should the dimensions of the ports be computed from the leftside of the locomotive, the scales on the left side of the calculatorwould be used.

The initial step is the setting of the various parts of the calculatorto zero positions as clearly illustrated in Figure l. and which involvestightening the lock nut 7:3, flanged set screw 31, and screws 4M, 48a,4de, 5ta, 54 and 55 to clamp the dial 22 to the slide 8, the latter tothe plate Si, and the respective markers to the plate. After the partsof the calculator are thus positioned, the set screws la and 43a ofmarkers 4l and 48 are loosened and the markers 4l and 48 are moved inopposite directions, by means of the finger wheel 52, and with themarker 43 moving towards the right-hand end of the calculator until thepointer thereon registers with the scale mark l2 denoting 3/8 from thepoint on the scale ill indicated by the mark. 25 on the dial asillustrated in Figure 5. This adjustment is indicative of the 1X1"diameter opening of the front port on the forward movement of the Valve.It is to be understood that movement of marker 4l, in the oppositedirection and the same distance as marker 4B with respect to `the marker30, is merely coincidental to permit rotation of the shaft 45.

The screw 43a of the marker 43 is then tightened and the screw E4 of themarker 3D loosened, whereupon the nger wheel 52 is rotated to move themarkers 3l] and 4l with respect to the marker ttl, through the medium ofthe shaft 45, and in a direction for register-y of marker 4l with themarking on the scale l0 denoting 1/8" from the dial marking 24 and whichV8" is indicative of the diameter of the rear port on said forwardmotion as illustrated in Figure 6. In this position the set screwsIllia, 48a and 54 are tightened to hold said markers clamped to theplate.

The set screws idc and 50al of lthe markers 49 and 50 are then loosenedand the markers 49 and 5l) are moved in opposite directions, by means ofthe nger wheel 53, and with the marker 50 moving towards the right-handend of the calculator until the pointer thereon registers with the scalemarking i3 on the scale denoting Tse from the point on the scaleindicated vby the dial mark 21 on the dial 22 as illustrated in Figure 7of `the drawings and which adjustment of ythe marker 5B is indicative ofthe {"ie diameter opening of the front port on the rearward motion ofthe valve. It is to -be understood that the movement of the marker 48 inthe opposite direction and the saine distance as the marker 53 withrespect to the marker 3| is merely coincidental to permit rotation ofthe shaft 43. The set screw 50a on the marker 50 is now tightened andthe set screw 55 of the marker 3| loosened, whereupon the nger wheel 53is rotated to move the markers 3| and 49 with respect to the marker Ell,through the medium of the `shaft 45, in a direction for registry of themarker 49 with the marking 3 on the scale Il for denoting from the dialmarking 26 and which lis is indicative of the diameter of the rear porton said rearward motion of the valve as illustrated in Figure 8 of thedrawings. Having .thus adjusted the markers, the latter are maintainedin the foregoing calculated positions by the tightening of theirrespective set screws whereby the computing operation of the calculator'may be completed as hereinafter set forth.

When the calculator is thus set, the set screw 3l and the nut 23 areloosened and the slide is moved towards the right and the dial 22rotated until the dial marks 28 and 2S are aligned with the pointers 39and dil respectively of the markers 33 and 3|, as illustrated in Fig. 9,whereupon the set screw 3! and the nut 23 are tightened to maintain theslide 3 in fixed relation with the plate 5 and the dial 22 in fixedrelation with respect to the markers 3d and 3|. Having thus aligned themarks 23 and 29 with the points 39 and 40, the marks 32a and 33a on thedial will indicate scale readings on the scales 32 and 33. Inasmuch asthe measurements of the valve ports are taken from the right-hand sidethereof, the right-hand scale 33 only is utilized and lin accordancetherewith reference is had only tothe mark 33a of the dial. By observingthe mark 20 on the slide, it will be noted that it indicates als ingroup I6 denoting 11, lengthening of the valve rod VR. Mark 33a on thedial will, in group 33, denote that the valve must be moved forward gli"in addition to the indicated by the mark 2U in group I6. This isaccomplished by the eccentric rod ER, Figure 12, whose ratio in relationto the valve VM, Figure 12, in this instance is four to one. Therefore,the eccentric rod ER is lengthened four times 35 or a total of Thesereadings are now written on the card 59 as follows: Lengthen eccentricrod and Lengthen valve rod 512W, as clearly shown in Figure 10. Byadjusting the valve and eccentric rods in accordance with thesevreadings, the dimensions of the port openings on both forward andrearward motions will be equalized or squared.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple andreliable calculator whereby the port openings `of a valve mechanism maybe readily adjusted to equal diameters through the medium of computingthe adjustments of the valve and eccentric rods.

It is obvious that the invention is not coni-ined to the hereindescribed use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which itis adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, asthe same is only illustrative of the principles of operation which arecapable of extended application in advance forms, and that the inventioncomprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a calculator, means for dimensionally indicating premeasuredpositions of a valve with respect to the front and rear ports of a valvemechanism upon forward and rearward motion of said valve, means fordimensionally indicating calculable positions of said valve with respectto said ports to equalize -opening and closing of said ports upon saidmotion, and means for coordinating said rst and second mentioned meansto determine factors useful in the calculation of the differentialsbetween said first and second mentioned positions and to dimentionallyindicate said diiferentials whereby said valve may be adjusted inaccordance with said differentials to effect said equalized opening andclosing of said ports.

2. In a calculator, a pair of relatively movable elements, means on oneof said elements for dimensionally indicating premeasured positions of avalve with respect to the front and rear ports of a valve mechanism uponforward and rearward motion of said valve, means on both of saidelements for dimensionally indicating calculable positions of said valvewith respect to said ports to equalize opening and closing of said portsupon said motion, and means on the other of said elements forcoordinating said first and second mentioned means to determine factorsuseful in the calculation of the differentials between said first andsecond mentioned positions and to dimensionally indicate saiddifferentials whereby said valve may be adjusted in accordance with saiddifferentials to effect said equalized opening and closing of saidports.

3. In a calculator, a pair of relatively adjustable elements, one ofsaid elements provided with scale indicia, a plurality of relativelyadjustable markers adjustably mounted on said last mentioned element andooacting with said indicia for dimensionally indicating premeasuredpositions of a valve with respect to the front and rear ports of a valvemechanism upon forward and rearward motion of said valve, means on bothof said elements for dimensionally indicating calculable positions ofsaid valve with respect to said ports to equalize opening and closing ofsaid ports upon said motion, and means on the other of said elements andcoacting with certain of said markers and said second mentioned means todetermine factors useful in the calculation of the differentials betweensaid first and second mentioned positions and to dirnensionally indicatesaid differentials whereby said valve may be adjusted in accordance withsaid differentials to effect said equalized opening and closing of saidports.

4. In a calculator, a pair of relatively adjustable elements, means onone of said elements for dirnenscnally indicating premeasured positionsCil of a valvc with respect to the front and rear ports of a valvemechanism upon forward and rearward motion of the valve by the eccentricand valve rod members of said mechanism, means on said elements fordimensionally indicating calculable adjustments of said membersrespectively to equalize opening and closing of said ports by said valveupon said motion, and means on the other of said elements forcoordinating said first and second mentioned means to determine factorsuseful in the calculation of the differentials between said positionsand said adjustments and to dimensionally indicate said diiferentialswhereby said valve may be adjusted in accordance with said differentialsto effect said equalized opening and closing of 5. In a calculator, ableelements, e scale indicia, plurality or .rela iv markers adjustablyniounte tioued element `coasting wi dimensionally indicating pre f of avalve with respect to tl ports of a valve mechanism ur f1- tively toequa se opening ports by said valve upon said on the other of saidelements certain of said markers and tioned means to deter calculationoi the 'erentials bein tions and said adjustments and to i indicate saiddiileron. be adjusted in accom to effect edual ed onor said ports.

6. In a calculator, a pair oit r elements, means on of s` dmensionallyindicati. C je. u of a valve with respect to the in ports of a valvemechanf. o 1upon forward and. rearward motion of t-e va means on saidelements for dimensionally indicating calculable positions of said valvewith respect said ports to ecualise opening and elos of said norts unenmotion, and means the oth ci said ecitl lll ti.

. said po mensic d valve ments arincludine rot/c n scale indicia forcoordination i. t second mentioned means to de oi e factors useful in.the calculation of the be tween said. fil-"st second and todimensionality dewnti ls whereby sof-d valve may be adju: in with saiddifferentials to said second. mentioned position.

'7. In a calculator, a pla. s. f' plate adjustable .1.' .indicia on s idj marl.-

coactingf, with .if

e. slide mounted on ela-tive thereto, scale on said plate anddimensonally indicating mereces of a valve with respect to the ports ofa valve mechanism umn :io-.cw

ward motion of the valve l: the eccentric and valve rods of mecha.scales on s folate and slide for dim osionallv indicating calculablead'ustnients of sM d.velu

to equalize opening and closing of said ports by said valve upon saidforward and rearward motion, a scale mark on said slide and coastingwith one of said scales upon relative movement of slide and plate todenote dimensional adiustrnents on one of said rods, and a member.rotatably mounted on said slide and having a scale marking enactingwith certain of said markers and said other scale 'to denote dimensionaladjustments on the other of said rods.

8. A valve setting calculator comprising a plate having scaled indiciathereon indicative of the forward rearward motion of a Valve for openingand closing iront and rear valve ports of a valve mechanism includ'ngeccentric and valve rod members for oper il g said valve, said plateprovided with scale markings denoting a setting position of one of saidmembers; a slide mounted on said plate and formed. with scale markingsdenoting a. setting pocition of the other o.. said members, adjustablei-. risers carried by said plate and coacting with said indicia forindicating premeasured positions of said valve,

.s carried by said slide and movable relae thereto 'for coaction withmarkers and said markings on seid slide 'for radjust-- with markings onsaid plate to indicate adiustlnent of the other of .id inbers wherebysaid niemb may be adjusted in accordance T ith both oi said adjustmentsrespectively to eiTect positioning of sfid valve in a manner to open andclose said ports equally on both the forward and rearward motion or saidvalve.

9. A valve setting calculator ing a plate having scaled. indicia thereonindicative oi the forward and rearward mot in of a valve for opening andclosing front and rear valve ports of a valve mechanism includingeccentric and valve rod members for oper said valve. said nlate providedwith scale markings denoting a setting position of one of said members:a slide mounted. on said plate and formed with scale markings denoting asetting position of the other ci said members, adiustble no rlrers ce,.ed by seid plate coactng with said indicia for indicating premeasufedoositions of said valve` a rotatable dial carried by said s e andmovable relative thereto and provided. with mar s for coec on with saidmarkers said markings said slide for indicating ad' stment of one ofsaid members, and a mad on slide and movable therewith for coaction withriid mark.- inffs on said plate to indicate adjust .nt of the er of saidmembers whereby members y.y be adjusted in accor .ce with oth of said.adlustments respectively to effect ioositionins,r of said valve in amanner to open and close said norte equally on both the forward rearwardmotion of said valve.

l'l. The structure of claim il set forth and donned therein includinseid slide to said plate.

ll. The structure o clf. defined therein includii g said plate andonenable for clamping said slide in hired loos: ion with resnect toplate.

RALPH D. BOBBITT.

